External storage device

Abstract: An comprises an external storage device and an external storage device unit, wherein an external storage device main includes, a thin type external storage device module formed into a one-side sealed package from a storage medium series element containing at least one non-volatile semiconductor memory device, and a flat type external connection terminal connected to an input / output terminal of the storage medium series element and led and exposed to a backside of the external storage device module, and an external storage device unit includes, an external storage device main detachable section for engaging, insertedly attaching and detaching the external storage device main, an resilient contact electrically connecting to the external connection terminal of the external storage device main to be mounted, and at least a part of circuit function for driving and controlling the storage medium series element.

Description: The present invention relates to this external storage devices that are releasably or exchangeably used for storage equipment and external storage medium devices. Two types of storage devices, or memory elements, that are capable of recording and saving various data have been utilized. One is incorporated and fixed within storage equipment or devices, and the other is releasably or exchangeably incorporated in storage equipment or devices. In the latter type, the external storage device, for example, a floppy disk can freely be attached or detached by a one touch operation. The floppy disks, being storage mediums, can separately be used depending on purpose and object. This therefore produces easier data reduction with optional classification, recording, and saving. However, a problem arises in the floppy disks described. First, the data occasionally disappears when recording or saving the data to produce the disadvantage of less reliability. Second, the floppy disk has a slow access time. Also, when employing smaller sized floppy disks in response to a miniaturization goal, the storage area of the storage medium is correspondingly smaller thereby reducing storage capacity. This results in an adverse effect in realizing both the compact size and high capacity. On the other hand, in semiconductor memory devices used as an external storage device, such as IC memory cards, the problems of floppy disks, such as low reliability on recording and saving data and slow access time, can largely be overcome. In general, IC memory cards comprise a functional circuit in which circuit components containing semiconductor memory devices or elements are mounted on a substrate. A resin case incorporates the functional circuit as an inside attachment. A cover covers and seals an opening surface of the resin case, and external connection terminals, such as two piece connectors, are attached on one edge of the resin case and electrically connect the functional circuit and the storage equipment. However, IC memory cards are assembled with a large number of components and parts. Thus, a relatively complicated structure is required impacting the thickness of the IC memory card, resulting in difficulty in realizing a compact size. Further, disadvantages arise in practical use because of lower cost performance and production yields in mass producing, in addition to the decreased releasability or fluctuated releasability to the storage equipment and device. FR-A-2 686 172 discloses an IC card processing assembly being capable of receiving an IC card containing a non-volatile semiconductor memory device and a flat type connection terminal formed on a surface of the IC card, the processing assembly comprising: means for engaging the IC card; a contact electrically connecting to the connection terminal of the IC card; and means for controlling data exchange with the IC card. An object of the present invention is to provide an external storage device having a simplified structure with satisfactory production yields. Another object of the present invention is to provide an external storage device with a high reliability with respect to recording and saving the data. Another object of the present invention is to provide an external storage device having a rapid access time. Still another object of the present invention is to provide an external storage device having high releasability for the storage equipment and device. The external storage device according to the present invention comprises an external storage device main and an external storage device unit. The external storage device main includes a thin external storage device module formed into a package sealed on one side from a storage element containing at least one non-volatile semiconductor memory device, and a flat type external connection terminal connected to an input/output terminal of the storage element and led and exposed to a backside of the external storage device module. The external storage device unit includes a mechanism for engaging, insertedly attaching, and detaching the external storage device main, a resilient contact electrically connecting to the flat type external connection terminal of the external storage device main. In the external storage device according to the present invention, the external storage device main may preferably be formed into a package structure sealed on one side. However for easier handling, the external storage device main may also preferably be in the form of a card type structure attached on a supporting plate. The external storage device unit may preferably be assembled and incorporated with a part of or all of the control circuit components or parts, such as semiconductor elements, performing the control function. The external storage device of a preferred embodiment has a higher integration with a memory capacity to an extent of 16 M-bits per chip. In addition, the storage device is preferably provided as a main memory with a non-volatile semiconductor memory device which does not require a power supply for maintaining storage. The main memory is incorporated into the package sealed on one side to produce a thin type external storage device module or external storage device main. Thus, the external storage device module is easily achieved in a thin structure and at a lower cost by for example, a transfer mold system. To mount a card type external storage device main to the external storage device unit, an insertion system at the side surface of the external storage device unit may be provided. An external connection terminal is led and positioned in a plane with a rear-side of the external storage device main. Hence, a highly reliable electrical connection can easily be achieved when attaching and detaching by a one touch system, the external storage device unit. In a card type device, the external storage device itself maintains and exhibits satisfactory releasability for the storage equipment and devices. The card type external storage device main can readily be attached and detached to the external storage device unit, and realizes a function equivalent to a floppy disk device, and simultaneously a reliability of electrical connecting and disconnecting due to the attaching and detaching. Fig. 1 is a top perspective view of a first example of an external storage device main according to the present invention. Fig. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the first example of an external storage device main shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line III-III of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a top perspective view of a second example of an external storage device main according to the present invention. Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line V-V of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a plan view of an example of an external storage device in which the external storage device main shown in Fig. 4 is assembled onto an external storage device unit. Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a plan view of an example of another external storage device in which the external storage device main shown in Fig. 7 is assembled into an external storage device unit. Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along line IX-IX of Fig. 8. Embodiments of invention are described referring to Figs. 1 to 9 as follows. The present invention has been achieved by means of a cleverly conceived structure and profile where the devices such as semiconductor memory devices or elements are mounted on the conventional substrates and in accordance with the fact that a non-volatile semiconductor memory device or element with a capacity of 16 M-bits per chip corresponds to a 2 M-byte floppy disk. Figs. 1 to 3 show a first example of an external storage device module constituting features of the thin type external storage device main according to the invention, where Fig. 1 is a perspective view on one-side surface which is sealed on one side by a transfer mold, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a rear-side surface which is one-side sealed by the transfer mold, and Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of Fig. 1. In this first example, a card type external storage device module is constructed such that a storage element 2, such as a 16 M-bit NAND flash type non-volatile semiconductor memory device, is connected on a surface of the through hole type resin based wiring substrate 3 by wire-bonding 4. The storage element 2 may, if required, included an anti-electrostatic element for preventing electrostatic destruction, the anti-electrostatic element being used for input and output to the memory element. Instead of the wire bonding 4, flip chip bonding may also be performed to directly adhere the rear side of the memory element 2 on the resin based wiring substrate 3. The substrate 3 is preferably a thin wiring substrate, for example, an insulative substrate member made of glass-epoxy resin or the like. The resin based wiring substrate 3, a surface on which is mounted the storage element 2 including a NAND flash type non-volatile semiconductor memory device, is sealed on one side by a transfer mold layer 5. More specifically, the external storage device module 1 (which is designated the external storage device main when considered by itself) is sealed on one side and formed into a flat plate shaped thin type package with an entire thickness of less than about 1 mm. The transfer mold layer 5 may generally be formed of epoxy based resin or the like. However, it also may preferably be formed of a composition containing inorganics. On the other hand, the one-side sealed through hole type resin based wiring substrate 3, in other words, the backside surface 1a of the external storage device module 1 is arranged with a plane shaped or flat type terminal 1b taken out through the through hole to form the external storage device module 1. The plane shaped terminal 1b is preferably gold (Au)-plated on its surface, and functions as an external connection terminal for electrically connecting to a contact member of an external storage device unit which is described later. In this example, the plane shaped terminal 1b is gold-plated to increase the reliability of the electrical connection. However, such plating is not always required. Figs. 4 and 5 show a second structural example of the structure of a card type external storage device main 1' in which the external storage device module is attached on a card shaped supporter 6, wherein Fig. 4 is a perspective view, and Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line V-V of Fig. 4. The card shaped supporter 6 may preferably be, for example, an insulative resin plate. In the second example above, for a simplified operation the external storage device module 1 is incorporated into the card shaped supporter 6 having a length of 42.8 mm, a width of less than 27 mm, and a thickness of 0.76 mm, wherein the size of the supporter 6 is half the card size regulated in accordance with JEIDA. In more detail, the external storage device module 1 is assembled into the card shaped supporter 6. The supporter 6 has a recessed portion in which the external storage device module 1 can be inserted and attached. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, a surface of the external connection terminal 1b of the external storage device module 1 is inserted, attached and exposed in the same plane as a main surface of the card shaped supporter 6, thereby forming the card type storage device main 1'. Figs. 6 and 7 show a structural example wherein the card type external storage device main 1' is attached to an external storage device unit 7, where Fig. 6 is a plan view, and Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII of Fig. 6. In this example, the card type external storage device main 1' has storage elements on one side thereof. The external storage device module 1, in which the storage element 2 including at least a non-volatile semiconductor memory chip, is sealed on one side by the transfer mold layer 5, is inserted and attached into the card shaped supporter 6 to produce the card type external storage device main 1'. The card type external storage device main 1' is releasably attached on and installed into the external storage device unit 7 to form an external storage device 8. The external storage device unit 7 can be electrically connected to the plane shaped external connection terminal 1b provided on the external storage device module 1 on the card type external storage device main 1'. Simultaneously the external storage device unit 7 has a structure that the card type external storage device main 1' is releasably attached therefrom. To releasably attach and detach the card type external storage device main 1', the external storage device unit 7 has on its surface a recessed portion corresponding to the shape and dimensions of the card type external storage device main 1'. A surface on the recessed portion is arranged with a contact 7a that preferably corresponds to the external connection terminal 1b of the card type external storage device main 1'. To attach and detach the card type external storage device main 1' smoothly, a guide structure 7b and a one touch structure 7c are preferably provided. When the card type external storage device main 1' is inserted, attached or removed from the external storage device unit 7, smooth insertion and extraction is provided by the guide structure 7b, which is placed on a side-surface of the unit 7 in the insertion and extraction direction. Simultaneously, the one touch structure 7c is preferably placed at a tip end of card 1 and provides secure attaching, electrical connection, and release thereof. If required, a micro-switch system for supplying electricity to the card type external storage device main 1' may preferably be provided with the one touch structure 7c. In Figs. 6 and 7 element, 7d represents an IC element group constituting a part of a drive and control circuit for the storage element 2, including the non-volatile semiconductor memory chip, which the card type external storage device section 1' possess. The contact 7a for electrically connecting to the external connection terminal 1b is made, for example, using a pin-type contact having a spring mechanism. The external storage device 8, including the card type external storage device main 1', according to the present invention is not limited to the example as described above. For example, the present invention also includes the structure shown in a plan view of Fig. 8 and in a sectional view of Fig. 9 taken along line IX-IX of Fig. 8. The card type external storage device main 1' may preferably be inserted or extracted from a side-surface of a case 9. The case 9 preferably has on one side a pin connection 9a. The case 9 may, for example, be sized to have a length of 85.6 mm, a width of 54.0 mm, and a thickness of 3.3 mm. In more detail, the case 9 is also preferably provided with an insertion and extraction section 9b, such as a space or gap, for attaching, through inserting and extracting, the card type external storage device main 1' from the side-surface of the case 9. A push button 9c may preferably be provided on the case 9 to achieve attaching or detaching to the external storage device unit 7. In particular, when the card type external storage device main 1', is attached by inserting and extracting from the side surface of the external storage device unit 7, compared to a structure having a surface recessed portion for attaching the card type external storage device main 1', it is correspondingly not required to enlarge an outer surface required for attaching the external storage device. Thus, this easily realizes a compact size, fine view, and high reliability due to incorporation (inside mount) of the card type external storage device main 1'. It is understood that the present invention is not limited to the examples as hereinbefore described. For example, the card type external storage device main 1 according to the present invention may be used, as it is, without attaching it on or to the card shaped supporter 6. As is apparent from the description above, the external storage device according to the present invention has a higher integration and provides, even in one chip, a larger memory capacity of a non-volatile semiconductor memory device as a main memory. In addition, basic construction is employed in that the external storage device main has a compact structure and the main memory is sealed on one side by a transfer mold. The use of the one-side sealing system and the non-volatile semiconductor memory device provides a thin structure and compact size of the external storage device. The releasable attaching and ease of carrying provide simple operation and handling, and result in a lower cost. When forming the external storage device by combining with the external storage device unit, reliability in the card type external storage device can be improved, thereby preventing damage or connection failures of the external connection terminal with a graded releasability due to satisfactory slidability. A great number of advantages in practical use are obtained, such as optionally detaching or easily carrying the external storage device main without the possibility of external damage, and a larger capacity of recording or saving data even given the compact size.

Claims: An external storage device unit assembly (7) being capable of receiving a card shaped external storage device main assembly (1') which can store data, the said card shaped external storage device main assembly (1') comprising a storage element containing at least one flash-type non-volatile semiconductor memory device (2) capable of electrically storing data, and a flat type connection terminal formed on a surface of the card shaped external storage device main assembly (1'), the external storage device unit assembly (7) comprising: means for engaging, insertedly and rigidly attaching and detaching the external storage device main assembly; a resilient contact (7a) electrically connecting to the connection terminal of the external storage device main assembly (1'); and, means (7d) for driving and controlling the storage element, the driving and controlling means (7d) being capable of causing the flash type non-volatile semiconductor memory device to (2) receive, store, and output the data, and the driving and controlling means (7d) having at least an IC. An external storage device unit assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the external storage device unit assembly (7) having a card shape. An external storage device unit assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the external storage device unit assembly (7) having a space for receiving the card shaped external storage device main assembly (1') therein. An external storage device unit assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the card shaped external storage device unit assembly (7) having an opening of the space for receiving the card shaped external storage device main assembly (1') being formed on a side face of the card shaped external storage device unit assembly (7). An external storage device unit assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein a thickness of the card shaped external storage device unit assembly (7) is about 3.3mm. An external storage device unit assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the external storage device main assembly (1') has a size less than half in area of a card size area specified in JEIDA standards. An external storage device unit assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the resilient contact (7a) is connected to the means (7d) for driving and controlling the storage element in the external storage device unit assembly (7). An external storage device unit assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flash type non-volatile semiconductor memory device (2) of the external storage device main assembly (1') is a NAND flash type non-volatile semiconductor memory device (2), and the driving and controlling means (7d) being capable of causing the NAND flash type non-volatile semiconductor memory device (2) to receive, store, and output the data. An external storage device unit assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for driving and controlling (7d) and the flash type non-volatile semiconductor memory device (2) of the external storage device main assembly (1') are capable of being connected so that the data to be stored being directly communicated through the resilient contact (7a) and the connecting terminal. An external storage device unit assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprises a micro-switch system for switching electricity supplying to the card shaped external storage device main assembly. An external storage device (8) for storing data, comprising: external storage device unit assembly (7) according to any of claims 1 to 10 and an external storage device main assembly (1'), the external storage device main assembly including, a thin type external storage device module (1a) comprising: a substrate (3) having a first face and a second face, a wiring pattern formed on the first face, and the substrate having at least a through hole; a storage element containing at least one flash type non volatile semiconductor memory device (2) capable of being electrically written the data to be stored, the storage element having an input/output terminal, and the input/output terminal connected with the wiring pattern; a sealing resin formed on the first face of the substrate (3) so as to seal the storage element; and a flat type external connection terminal (16) formed on the second face of the substrate (3), and the flat type external connection terminal (1b) connected to the wiring pattern via the through hole, the external storage device main assembly further including a card shaped support (6) having a recess for placing the thin type external storage device module (1a) so that the second face of the substrate (3) is exposed to a surface of the support An external storage device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the external storage device main assembly (1') is formed in a card shape. An external storage device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the external storage device main assembly (1') and the external storage device unit assembly (7) are respectively formed in a card shape. An external storage device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the card shape external storage device unit assembly (7) has a recessed portion corresponding to shape and dimension of the card shape external storage device main assembly (1') on its surface, the card shape external storage device main assembly (1') being rigidly and detachably engaged with the card shape card shape external storage unit assembly (7) at the recessed portion, whereby the external storage device is formed in a card shape. An external storage device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the card shape external storage device unit assembly (7) has an insertion and extraction section for attaching the card shape external storage device main assembly (1') from a side face of the card shape external storage device unit assembly (7). An external storage device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage device series element of the external storage device main assembly (1') comprises an anti-electrostatic element. An external storage device as claimed in claim 11, wherein a surface of the external connection terminal (1b) of the external storage device main assembly (1') is coated with a gold plated layer. An external storage device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the card shape external storage device main assembly (1') has a thickness of less than 1mm. An external storage device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the external storage device unit assembly (7) interfaces with the external storage device main assembly (1'). An external storage device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first face of the substrate (3) having a first region and a second region, and the wiring pattern formed on the first face which extends from the first region to the second region, wherein the storage element mounted in the first region of the first face of the substrate (3), and the input/output terminal connected with the wiring pattern in the first region, and wherein the sealing resin formed only on the first region of the first face of the substrate (3) so as to seal the storage element. An external storage device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the external storage device module is placed into the recess of the support (6) so that a surface of the flat type external connection terminal (1b) is substantially flushed with the surface of the support (6). An external storage device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the storage element mounted on the substrate (3) by flip chip bonding. An external storage device as claimed in claim 20, wherein the storage element ounted on the substrate (3) by wire bonding.

Inventors: IWASAKI HIROSHI, IWASAKI, HIROSHI, IWASAKI, HIROSHI C/O INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DIV.
Applicants: TOSHIBA KK, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
Application year: 1994
Main classification: G06K19
IPC codes: G06K19, B42D15, G06K7